On February 4, 2026, the Leadership Greater Nashua Class of 2026 began the day at Hunt Community, where we heard from several members of the Greater Nashua healthcare community. Our morning started with a presentation from Barbara LaFrance, President and CEO of Home, Health, and Hospice Care. Barbara shared valuable information regarding end of life care and explained how her organization provides services to thousands of patients annually across 25 communities. She noted that the organization employs 250 full-time staff members and is supported by approximately 150 volunteers who assist in a variety of roles. Barbara also addressed common myths surrounding hospice care and offered detailed insight into the comprehensive services Home, Health, and Hospice Care provides.
Following her presentation, we participated in a panel discussion focused on Greater Nashua healthcare leadership. The panel included John Jurczyk, President of St. Joseph Hospital; Michael Kleinschmidt, Senior Vice President and CEO of Southern New Hampshire Health Systems; Dr. Jonathan Thyng, Medical Director of Dartmouth Health Clinics in Nashua; and Greg White, CEO of Lamprey Health. The panelists discussed several key topics, including staffing challenges across healthcare departments, particularly in recruiting and retention. Collectively, they emphasized their commitment to organizational missions and the importance of developing internal leadership. They highlighted initiatives such as cross-training between clinics, apprenticeship programs, and tuition assistance and waivers to support employees pursuing certifications and further education.
After a short break, we reconvened for a presentation from Bret Pomeroy, Executive Director of Hunt Community. Bret provided an overview of Hunt Community’s long-term care services for seniors and the wide range of amenities available to residents. He then led us on a tour of the facility, showcasing the gym, theater, library, billiards room, fine dining area, and a one-bedroom apartment. It was impressive to see the level of care, attention, and effort dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for seniors.
To conclude the morning session, we heard from LaTonya Muccioli, Housing Services Officer for the City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services. LaTonya discussed her role in leading and overseeing the citywide response to housing-related challenges. She highlighted homelessness as one of Nashua’s most pressing issues, noting a recent increase in need. She explained how the city is working collaboratively with community partners to provide effective outreach and connect individuals with appropriate support services.
We would also like to thank Bret and the rest of the Hunt Community team for providing the Leadership Greater Nashua Class of 2026 with a delicious lunch.
Written by:
Brian Moores
Nashua Police Department
After our morning session at the Hunt Community, we traveled to one of the three locations for the YMCA of Greater Nashua. We went to the Westwood Park YMCA located at 90 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua. We began the afternoon session with a presentation and discussion, hosted by Greater Nashua Mental Health’s (GNMH) Sheila Considine Sweeney and Katie Neubert. Sheila is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Katie is the Case Manager Mentor. Their presentation surrounded mental health awareness, its presence in our communities, and available resources. The presentation began with an overview of GNMH and the array of services they provide. GNMH achieved the distinction of becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). They are the first community mental health clinic in the State of New Hampshire to achieve this status.
We went over various statistics, such as 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year. Another statistic was that adults living with a serious mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than others. Something I took away from these measures is that mental health services are at the tips of our fingers in the Nashua community; we just need to help one another get through the front doors. We can improve these numbers by being more open to discussing mental health and the need to access care.
Lynne Boyer, the VP of Community Impact at the YMCA of Greater Nashua, presented a slideshow to the group highlighting the YMCA’s impact and its commitment to serving the community. The YMCA serves the 13 surrounding towns, which translates into approximately 48,000 members every year. The YMCA strengthens the community through its three core pillars: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Their take on youth development is demonstrated through summer camp, childcare, Leaders Club for teens, and art programs. Healthy Living ensures that people can confront their health through a holistic approach. Their programs include Live Strong for cancer survivors, Prescribe the Y for children, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, and the Diabetes Prevention Program. The YMCA offers family support, Togetherhood, and the financial assistance program called Y Cares to address their social responsibilities. They also collaborate with over 150 local organizations.
Towards the end of the afternoon, the class was able to play pickle ball, participate in the Ninja obstacle course, as well as a session of Chair Yoga lead by Kevin, one of the yoga instructors. It was amazing to get to connect with local leaders within our communities and see firsthand the impact they have.
Written By:
Maddie Craig
Lamprey Health Care
